Five Reasons to Visit Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa

It would be catastrophic to be in South Africa and not go to Cape Town which has been voted by the annual poll of travel and leisure magazine as the 6th best tourist city. It would even be more catastrophic not to visit Table Mountain! Table Mountain which was initially known as sea mountain is a level plateau mountain that is over 1000 metres high fringed by devils peak on the east and lion’s head on the west. It is believed to be a flat table top which was once the bottom of a lake many years ago. It is a beauty that must be beheld. Still not convinced? Here are five reasons you should visit this mountain.

One of the Seven Wonders of the World: Table Mountain has been nominated one of the natural 7 wonders of the world and is one of 28 finalists. The new7wonders was an initiative by a Swiss-Canadian born film maker and adventurer aimed at protecting the human-built and natural heritage as well as encouraging respect for the earth’s diversity. So when you visit and you are awed, be sure to vote for Table Mountain.

Oldest mountain: It may interest you to know that it is one of the oldest mountains in the world. It is six times older than Himalayas in Asia and five times older than the Rockies in North America.

A celebrity: Humans and perhaps Bo Obama are not the only celebrities on planet earth. The mountain is a celebrity. It is the most photographed in Cape Town.

The Constellation Mensa: The constellation mensa was named in honour of table mountain making it the only terrestrial feature to give its name to constellation. It was on this mountain that Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, the French astronomer made observations of the southern sky.

Table cloth: Should you be in Cape Town in summer, you will see a layer of cloud covering the top of the mountain and this is called the table cloth. Of course there is legend about the table cloth, but I will save the story until your visit.